CC 2.0 SLE in V15a GH-051-02m Help??

[ih8sportz]

Hi Folks,

I have just performed my first mod on my own PS2 and have installed the CC 2.0 SLE. At first I thought I had muddled the install, but after some reading here it may in fact be ok. I performed the BIOS test with all bios wires power, ground and SX attached only and it checked out correctly. I then installed all drive wires and when tested, it couldn't load a normal PS2 game. The only thing that it will load is the V29 upgrade disc. I then discovered the reset button 3 times to recovery mode angle, and when put into recovery mode, the PS2 loads and plays regular PS2 games no problems. However, when in recovery mode, the PS2 will not load the upgrade disc V29 or 34. I just get Sony Red Screen. I have not been able to flash the chip yet. Any suggestions on what I may be doing wrong. Is it all about the quality of the CD-R media I use. Every type I have tried has failed to boot in recovery mode. I initially installed the mod and have since removed and replaced all wires because I thought I had a problem (perhaps I still do?). I suspect it may only be a case of getting a CD-R to boot in recovery mode. I have tried both 4 and 8 speeds when burning.

[ih8sportz]

Update! I have since tried more than 4 and 8 speed. I have tried 16 and 24 speed. I have used Nero, I've used Alcoholer, I have tried different disk types, including the very hard to find but highly recommended verbatim AZO.

I have tried v19, 29, 32, 34 and the current 34 Modified firmwares. I cannot flash the chip! It either wont allow access to the menu item in BM, or it lets you in but fails to flash.

I have read, that it should be in recovery mode in order to reflash. If I start my machine with the upgrade disc in, it loads to the BM and I can then install BM on the memory card, but cannot flash, or format dffs, it's like it's not there. If I reset three times (And I have performed this lots and lots of times to be sure) The upgrade disc still loads BM and I still can't flash or format chip. If I push the reset button more than 3 times (4 or more), then I am able to play regular PS2 games. If I load an upgrade disc in this mode, I get sony red screen.
My sneaking suspicion at the moment, is that the chip is stuck in (or starts in)recovery mode already and three resets is putting it into sleep mode.

I read on another post that the chip has a splash screen, is that true or are we just talking about BM? I have not seen a splash screen. Whilst I'm still not sure if I have done a perfect job, I have done it all from the ground up twice, and the second time around was a big improvement, yet no change in operation whatsoever, which leads me to believe nothing was wrong to start with. I really hope that I made a mistake, because then I can find it and fix it. If not I have to try and get a replacement chip and/or refund if that's at all possible.

[spedmetal]

It sounds to me like you need to examine your CDVD points. Strange how R29 boots but R30+ wont.

[ih8sportz]

Hi, thanks! Yeah that would seem to be the next thing, considering that it has passed the BIOS test during both installs, amd continues to pass the test. However, the freaky thing is I have seen it pass that test when one of the BIOS wires had become detached. I may very well still have something wrong and late today I will pour over it some more and see if I can locate anything, and further satisfy myself that no problems exist with the physical install. I am however optimistic, with respect to the install because I have done it twice and achieved the same thing. I keep thinking the instructions are a little off, but others have sucessfully married this combo!
The BIOS test is a solid second on and then off! Not a fast blink! Hopefully I will find a fault with the install somewhere later today. The fact I can load upgrade disks and reset repeatedly to disable(Sleep) the chip, suggests something is OK. The fact I can't flash, has me leaning towards a BIOS issue wire issue. Strange indeed.
I have seen people discussing similar problems that they all seem to locate a cure for, no such luck here!
Yes R19,29 and 32 upgrade discs all boot but 34 and 34mod don't.

[spedmetal]

Yes I have on ocation found that leaving the bios wire 'W' off will still allow the diagnosis LED to flash an all clear. Oh I misread so everything but R34 will boot hmmm.... I'm still thinking its your CDVD wires, specifically G and H, but it may be others. I hope you get this resolved. Keep us posted!

[ih8sportz]

Thanks spedmetal! Certainly what the troubleshooting steps suggest, is the drive wires and those wires are a tight squeeze in that area, so I can guess this is a common source of problems for installers, but I have done it so I can see clearly right round all solder pads! Using a meter it all checks out clean as best as I can tell. I will check it all again after I get a bit of shuteye!
I shall indeed update when I am done

[ih8sportz]

Oh well, I don't know? I have been at this for days, and everytime I look at what I have done I become more convinced that it's all OK.
The majority of the drive wires are connected to a via that has a track leading to the large chip nearby. I have been able to read 100% continuity (short), from each one of the drive wires soldered at the mod chip, to a leg of the large chip, which means that the connections to each via are good. I can not find any shorts between anywires or wires to nearby pads or components.

Can anyone confirm if the Crystal Chip 2.0 SLE has a splash screen, when no firmware (only factory firmware) is installed, and bootmanager is NOT installed?

Another post has lead me to believe that I should get a boot screen (Splash screen) as soon as the install is successful. So now I keep thinking that I have no chance of flashing the chip until I see that screen. Should I be thinking that?

My modchip is almost non existant. With the exeception of having to disable it to play games or use it, you wouldn't know I had one.

I'm thinking I am going to have to open communication with the mod chip supplier and see what their policy is for (Possible) faulties! Damn shame, they are a long way away.

[spedmetal]

With the stock flash that come with the chip there is no "splash" screen that you will see. In fact the flash is empty other then the recovery flash and all the chip will boot before you flash it is the upgrade disc its self, not even originals will boot. Its most likely your install especially if you can disable the chip with the hardware disable in order to play originals.

can you maybe post a picture of your install?

[ih8sportz]

Hi thanks again!

Ahh, so no splash screen. Thanks. I really hope it's my install. I want it to be something I have done. I won't lie, I have done lots of work on electronic devices over the years, but I have never done anything on such a tiny scale. It was not easy. That aside on install number two I really cleaned up and did it quicker and easier and it looks much better. However on both occasions with lots of testing I couldn't find a fault. I only did the install over a second time, because I knew I could do it better.

I attached a picture of my install on the first post, but it's not very good. I can't get the detail of the connections.

[spedmetal]

Oh thats right I have seen that pic already. Hard to see anything in that pic though. The only time you will see a splash screen is when you boot the upgrade disc or have BM installed.